Frutta Bowls Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Frutta Bowls serves fresh and nutritious acai bowls and smoothies, providing customers with a healthy and delicious option for breakfast or a snack.

Founded in 2016 by Brooke Gagliano in Freehold, New Jersey, Frutta Bowls began with a simple mission: to bring delicious, nutritious, and energizing food to local communities.

Inspired by the açai bowls she encountered during a trip out west, Gagliano introduced the concept to her hometown, launching what would quickly grow into a recognizable brand across the United States.

Since its inception, Frutta Bowls has expanded to dozens of locations in over a dozen states, offering a vibrant menu of açai, pitaya, and kale bowls, smoothies, toasts, and protein bites.

Frutta Bowls sets itself apart from other health-focused eateries by prioritizing customization and community connection. With extensive options to tailor each bowl or smoothie, the brand meets a wide range of dietary preferences and needs.

Now part of the WOWorks family of restaurant brands, Frutta Bowls benefits from a network that includes Saladworks, Barberitos, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, and others.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $35,000
Architectural Plan Review $0 - $1,000
Architect Fees $12,000 - $15,000
Permits & License Fee $1,500 - $5,000
Leasehold Improvements $150,500 – $302,000
Equipment $85,000 - $95,000
Furniture $7,000 - $15,000
Millwork $20,000 - $35,000
Smallwares $7,000 - $10,000
Exterior Signage $5,000 - $10,000
Interior Signage and Graphics $1,000 – $3,000
Technology Systems $25,000 - $32,000
Grand Opening Marketing $15,000
Uniforms, Menu Materials, Office Supplies $2,000 - $3,500
Travel & Living Expenses While Training $0 - $7,500
Opening Inventory $5,000 - $10,000
Insurance $1,500 - $3,500
Additional Funds – 3 months $15,000 - $35,000
TOTAL $387,500 - $632,500
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $35,000
Architectural Plan Review $0 - $1,000
Architect Fees $12,000 - $15,000
Permits & License Fee $1,500 - $5,000
Leasehold Improvements $150,500 – $302,000
Equipment $85,000 - $95,000
Furniture $7,000 - $15,000
Millwork $20,000 - $35,000
Smallwares $7,000 - $10,000
Exterior Signage $5,000 - $10,000
Interior Signage and Graphics $1,000 – $3,000
Technology Systems $25,000 - $32,000
Grand Opening Marketing $15,000
Uniforms, Menu Materials, Office Supplies $2,000 - $3,500
Travel & Living Expenses While Training $0 - $7,500
Opening Inventory $5,000 - $10,000
Insurance $1,500 - $3,500
Additional Funds – 3 months $15,000 - $35,000
TOTAL $387,500 - $632,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Frutta Bowls provides comprehensive training to ensure franchisees and their management teams are well-prepared for operations. The types of training provided by the Franchisor include:

  1. Initial Training Program: This is mandatory and offered free for the Franchisee and up to three management personnel. It spans approximately 10 days and combines classroom and on-the-job training. Topics include financial controls, food preparation, marketing, sanitation, and maintaining quality standards. A 2-day sanitation certification course is also required for at least one management member.
  2. Sanitation Certification: Franchisees must complete a 2-day sanitation course prepared by the National Restaurant Association in their local market, ensuring compliance with health standards.
  3. Franchise Orientation Seminar: This is typically held within 30 days of agreement signing, either at the headquarters or via webinar, covering franchise program basics and site selection procedures.
  4. Refresher Training Programs: Frutta Bowls may require franchisees and managers to attend up to four refresher training seminars annually, with a maximum total duration of eight business days per year.
  5. Replacement Personnel Training: If any of the originally trained individuals cannot complete the program, replacements may attend the next available training for a fee and must complete it satisfactorily.

Territory Protection

Frutta Bowls provides limited territory protection to its franchisees. Each franchise is granted a defined Territory where no other traditional Frutta Bowls restaurants will be licensed. However, this protection excludes non-traditional venues like airports or stadiums.

The franchisor also reserves the right to sell products through alternate channels, such as food trucks or store-within-a-store setups, even within the franchisee’s Territory. The size and scope of the Territory are determined solely by the franchisor and may vary based on market conditions.

Competitors

Below are some of

Frutta Bowls

key competitors in the

Healthy

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
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Gross Profit
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EBITDA
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25

New
+
-14%
-14%

$35,000

$388,000

$633,000

n.a.

$408,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

VARA Juice Restaurant

VARA Juice Restaurant is a health-focused franchise offering fresh juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and plant-based meals in a clean, modern setting.

Franchisees

?

3
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$252,000 - $648,000

Project LeanNation

Project LeanNation is a health-focused meal prep and nutrition franchise providing balanced, macro-friendly meals designed for fitness enthusiasts and busy professionals.

Franchisees

?

28
+
300%
300%
Investment

?

$238,000 - $354,000

fresh&co

fresh&co is a farm-to-table fast-casual restaurant franchise serving salads, grain bowls, and organic meals made with locally sourced ingredients.

Franchisees

?

4
+
100%
100%
Investment

?

$588,000 - $1,386,000

Kale Me Crazy

Kale Me Crazy is a health food franchise specializing in cold-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and organic salads.

Franchisees

?

22
+
10%
10%
Investment

?

$321,000 - $572,000

Uncle Sharkii

Uncle Sharkii is a Hawaiian-inspired poke bowl franchise offering fresh seafood, boba tea, and healthy meal options.

Franchisees

?

6
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$90,000 - $300,000

JUICE IT UP

JUICE IT UP is a health-focused franchise that serves fresh juices, smoothies, and acai bowls made from high-quality, nutrient-packed ingredients.

Franchisees

?

83
+
6%
6%
Investment

?

$271,000 - $632,000